Russian Defence Minister reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces on the results of missile and bomb strikes against infrastructures of terrorist groupings

Russian Defence Minister has reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces on the results of missile and bomb strikes against infrastructures of terrorist groupings, which are active on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic.

“For the first time Kalibr cruise missiles were launched by the Rostov-on-Don submarine from underwater position from the Mediterranean Sea,” said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. Missile launch was carried out from underwater position.

The Head of the Military department reported that in the course of four days, the Russian aircraft including Tu-22M3 strategic bombers had performed over 300 sorties engaging over 600 targets of different type. “All the flights are carried out under the coverage of fighter aviation – Su-30SM aircraft,” added Sergei Shoigu.

The Head of the Military department mentioned that the Russian Defence Ministry had informed the foreign states concerning its actions beforehand.

General of the Army Sergei Shoigu also showed a flight data recorder from the Su-24M bomber downed by the Turkish fighter on November 24.

General of the Army Sergei Shoigu said that active work had been conducted on the territory of militants who had killed the Russian pilot. As a result, those territories were liberated by the joint efforts of the Russian air group and the Special Task Force of the Syrian Army. The Syrian servicemen found the place where the Russian aircraft had hit the ground. According to Defence Minister, militants were rapidly leaving those territories and did not manage to take anything from the downed aircraft.

In his turn, Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian Defence Ministry to open the flight data recorder from the Russian military aircraft downed by the Turkish Air Force only in the presence of international experts. “I want you to open it only together with foreign specialists and to document everything very thoroughly,” told the President.

According to Vladimir Putin, transcription of the downed Su-24M records will allow to define its flight trajectory and location at the moment of being eliminated. “That means that we will understand its location and the reason why the Turkish Air Force had hit in the back”.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief ordered to analyze results of the new high-accuracy strikes against the militants and expressed gratitude to all participants of the operation on search and delivery of the flight data recorder of the Su-24M downed by the Turkish Air Force.

According to Vladimir Putin, it was necessary to express gratitude to the Russian servicemen from the Special Task Force, search-and-rescue teams, and the Syrian Armed Forces. They managed to get the recorder, which would certainly provide an opportunity to puzzle out what had happened.

Comment by the Information and Press Department on the efficiency of measures to counter international terrorism in Syria and Iraq
8 December 2015

Moscow is seriously concerned over the incoming reports about the December 6 air strike conducted by the US-led coalition at the positions of Syrian government forces in the area of Deir ez-Zor, and the consequences of the air attack on the wrong targets in the village of al-Khan in Hasakah Province, which led to a considerable loss of civilian lives.

In general, such incidents testify to the escalation of tensions at the front of the fight against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. The illegal presence of Turkish army servicemen near the town of Mosul on Iraqi territory is an additional serious cause of tensions. They arrived there without a request or approval from the Iraqi legal government. We consider their presence unacceptable.

On the whole, we believe that emerging problems are rooted in the violation of one of the fundamental principles of international law – respect for the sovereignty of states. We would like to draw the attention of all members of the international community to the fact that an effective struggle against international terrorism is only possible in coordination with the governments of those states in the region where terrorists operate and which bear the brunt of the burden of countering them.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Russia’s position regarding the Syrian settlement8 December 2015

In recent days, allegations to the effect that Russia has changed its position on the Syrian issue have appeared in a number of media publications citing public pronouncements by certain foreign partners.

In this connection, we would like to bring clarity to the Russian position on Syria. It is common knowledge that this position is of fundamental nature. We haven’t changed it, nor do we intend to, including within the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) Vienna format, which we regard as optimal and highly promising.

Russia is in favour of the ISSG continuing its efforts to launch an intra-Syrian political process in line with its November 14 Vienna Statement. At the same time, taking into account the recent developments, we think it premature to state that everything is ready for the convocation of the next ISSG meeting at the ministerial level in New York on December 18.

To follow confidently the path of efforts facilitating the Syrian settlement, the ISSG, as we firmly believe, should comply with certain rules. First, it should strictly abide by the consensus principle in decision-making. For this, it is primarily necessary for the Group to ensure that its meetings are attended by all participants in the Vienna format without exception.

Second, the decisions thus adopted must be implemented. In this case, this refers to expert coordination, with Jordan’s leading role, of a list of terrorist groups operating in Syria, as well as to assisting the efforts by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura and other parties to have a maximally wide spectrum of the Syrian opposition develop a negotiating platform and form a representative delegation for talks with the Syrian Government, as required by the Geneva Communique of June 30, 2012.

As long as this “homework” undertaken by the ISSG members is not done, it would be counterproductive, as we see it, to convene the ministerial meeting. This would mean turning the ISSG, a working body intended to give the Syrians real help in settling the crisis in Syria, into a discussion club.

Lacking a collective perception on who is a terrorist and who an opposition member in Syria, we cannot go on discussing either the intra-Syrian political process, or such a vital and urgent matter as negotiating a ceasefire. After all, it is clear that no talks or ceasefires are possible with terrorists.

What we need is not just a meeting for the meeting’s sake, but an event following which its participants would be able to apply to the UN Security Council with an initiative to adopt resolutions designed to promote political settlement in Syria, based on the principles of intra-Syrian national consensus in keeping with the spirit and the letter of the Geneva Communique.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Putin: Su-24’s Black Box to Reveal Truth About Jet Shot Down by Turkey

The data from the black box of the downed Russian Su-24 bomber will prove that the aircraft was in Syrian airspace when it was attacked by Turkish forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu showed Putin the black box, which was recovered in Syria by Russian and Syrian forces.

“As I understand, the flight data recorder will give us the opportunity to understand the Su-24’s trajectory from the moment of its take-off to the moment of the crash,” Putin said. “This means we will be able to understand where it was [at the moment of the downing] and where the treacherous strike from the Turkish Air Force was dealt.”

Putin also said that the black box should be opened only in the presence of international experts.

Putin thanked everyone who participated in the operation to search for and retrieve the black box from Russia’s Su-24, which was shot down on November 24 by the Turkish Air Force.

“We must certainly thank our military, the staff of the special forces, search and rescue crews, and Syrian troops for retrieving the recorder, which will certainly help us to understand what happened,” Putin said in a meeting with Shoigu.

Ankara insists that the jet had violated Turkish airspace prior to being downed. Moscow argues that the aircraft was flying in Syrian airspace when it was attacked.

During the meeting with Shoigu, Putin also addressed Moscow’s ongoing air campaign against Daesh, also known as ISIL/The Islamic State.

Putin said the results of strikes against Daesh targets with new high-precision weapons should be continually analyzed, and expressed hope that the fight against the terrorists would not require nuclear warheads.

“We must, of course, analyze everything, everything that happens on the battlefield, how the weapons are working. The ‘Calibers,’ the A-101 rockets on the whole have proved themselves very well; they are new, modern and highly effective,” Putin said.

“We know that high-precision weapons can be equipped with both conventional warheads and with special warheads, that is, with nuclear warheads. Naturally, in the fight against the terrorists we hope that is something that will never be needed.”

Russian Forces Launch 2,000 Bombs Against Terrorists in Syria in the Last 4 Days

Intensified airstrikes from Russian forces have allowed the Syrian army to develop its offensive in key regions, the statement added.

“As a result, the strikes have created the conditions for further offensive action of the Syrian army in cooperation with other armed forces in the areas of Aleppo, Idlib, mountainous Latakia and Palmyra.”

Moscow has conducted airstrikes against Daesh, also known as ISIL/the Islamic State, in Syria since September 30, acting at the request of the legitimate government of Bashar al-Assad. Russian warships stationed in the Caspian Sea have also launched successful cruise missile strikes against the terrorist group.

Russian submarines target ISIS in Syria from Mediterranen

MOSCOW, December 8 /TASS/. Russia has attacked the IS positions with Kalibr missiles fired by the Rostov-on-Don submarine from the Mediterranean Sea, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“It was the first time that Kalibr cruise missiles were fired by the Rostov-on-Don submarine from the Mediterranean Sea,” Shoigu said.

MOSCOW, December 8. /TASS/. The guided missile cruiser The Vargyag, currently taking part in the joint Russian-Indian naval exercise Indra, will be dispatched to Syria, a source in the Russian contingent taking part in the exercise has told TASS in an interview.

“The guided missile cruiser The Varyag will leave India for Syria, where it will replace the guided missile cruiser The Moskva (project 1164 Atlant), he said, adding that The Varyag’s mission in the area would presumably last till September.

The naval exercise Indra began on December 7. It is scheduled to last till December 12. At the moment the preparatory phase of the exercise is nearing completion. The active phase in the Bay of Bengal is due on December 10-12. Anti-submarine operations will be practiced. Also, the crews will polish skills of freeing a ship seized by hypothetical terrorists. Helicopters will deliver assault groups on board.

Bomb Explosion Hits Russian Consulate in Syria’s Aleppo

TEHRAN (FNA)- Informed sources announced on Tuesday that the Russian Consulate in the Northern city of Aleppo has been targeted by a car bomb.

A car bomb reportedly was exploded in front of the Russian consulate overnight, the sources said.

“There has not been any further report on the possible casualties or the identity of those behind the attack,” the sources further added.

The Syrian air force continued conducting sorties targeting terrorists’ positions in various areas, eliminating their gatherings and destroying their vehicles.

Damascus countryside

An army unit expanded its control to the east of Damascus-Homs Highway in Harasta and established control on farms located on the road connecting Nour al-Sham school and Douma , seizing a net of tunnels and trenches in the area.

In Qalamoun, the army air force targeted and destroyed terrorists’ hideouts and concentrations and killed and injured a number of terrorists.

Field sources told SANA reporter that the army advanced further in the eastern al-Ghouta, killing over 10 terrorists and destroyed machinegun-equipped vehicles.

The army also targeted terrorists in a number of areas in Douma, Zamalka and daraya, killing more than 14 terrorists and destroying their weaponry and munitions.

Homs

The army’s air force destroyed a number of terrorists’ vehicles and headquarters in al-Qaryatain and al-Hazm al-Sharqi in the countryside of the central Homs province, a military source said.

Hama/ Idleb

More than 60 terrorists killed

The army destroyed a convoy of vehicles, equipped with heavy machine guns, between Sinjar and Tal Halawa in Idleb countryside.

The army’s air force destroyed a tunnel and three vehicles equipped with heavy machineguns and kills 16 terrorists on al-Salamiyeh/Aidoun road in the eastern countryside of Hama province.

Earlier, the army targeted Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists’ hideouts in Khan Sheikhoun in Idleb province, killing 4 terrorists, including Khaled Adnan, field sources said on Tuesday.

13 other terrorists were also killed, among them was Ahmad Abdel-Ghafour, Abdel-Karim Shneiqan, Jihad Abu al-Fida, in al-Najiyeh town and Jisr al-Shughour city, according to the sources.

An army unit targeted terrorists’ sites in al-Tamanaa town in the southern countryside of the province, killing 3 terrorists, including Khaled Dayyoub.

In the central Hama province, an army unit killed at least 10 terrorists after targeting hideouts of “Ahrar al-Sham Islamic Movement” in Kafr Zeita town 38 km north of Hama city, a military source told SANA.

Meanwhile, field sources said the terrorists Faisal al-Hassan and Abdel Karim al-Fadel were among the dead, adding that 3 cars carrying weapons and ammunition were also destroyed.

An army unit destroyed two ISIS terrorists’ cars loaded with weapons and ammunition in the surroundings of Abu Hanaya village in the eastern countryside of Salamiyeh city.

The field sources also spoke of the death of 2 terrorists from the so-called “Liwa al-Fatihin” and the destruction of a mortar depot in Qarqour town in the northwestern countryside of the province.

Two vehicles, one equipped with a 14.5 mm machinegun, belonging to terrorists from the so- called “Al-Izza Battalions and Brigades Gathering” and “Jund al-Aqsa” were destroyed, with 12 terrorists killed, in al-Latameneh and Lahaya al- Sharqiyeh villages.

A terrorist leader named Ahmad Ibrahim al-Mousa was identified amogn the dead, in addition to the terrorist Fadi al-Naasan.

Meanwhile, the army’s air force carried out sorties on the sites of the terrorist organizations in al-Latamneh, Kafr Zeita, Kafr Nabouda in the northeastern countryside of Hama province.

A number of terrorists’ dens, positions and vehicles, some of which equipped with heavy machinegun, arms and equipment were destroyed in the army’s airstrikes in the aforementioned areas.

The army air force also destroyed a tunnel and 3 vehicles equipped with heavy machineguns on al-Salamyeh-Aydoun road in Hama eastern countryside, killing 16 terrorists and injuring other 19.

Aleppo

The army’s air force launched strikes against hideouts and vehicles of ISIS terrorists in Sharbaa, Jarouf and Hmeimeh in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province near Kuwairis Airport from the northern part, a military source said.

Gatherings of terrorists were targeted by army airstrikes in Rasm al-Abd, Hazazeh and Tal Ayoub in the eastern countryside, according to the source.

The army destroyed gatherings and vehicles equipped with different machineguns for the terrorist organizations in the villages of Najara and Beijan in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province.

Terrorists were also targeted in the villages of Kefrnaha and al-Mansoura, in the western countryside of Aleppo province.

Army units targeted hideouts and positions for Jabhat al-Nusra and other terrorist organizations in Tal Hadyeh and on Aleppo International Road in Aleppo southern countryside, inflicting heavy losses upon the terrorists in personnel and equipment.

An army unit destroyed positions for the Takfiri terrorist organizations and their supply lines from the Turkish side in Ain al-Baida village in Aleppo northern countryside.

Army units targeted Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists to the northeast of al-Ghizlan farm in the northwestern countryside of the southern Daraa province.

Another army unit destroyed a vehicle for terrorists and damaged another one to the north of Atman town, 5 km north of Daraa city.

Syrian Army’s Elite Troops Advance in East Aleppo After Crushing ISIL in Al-Shuwaylekh

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army’s Special Ops known as the “Tiger Forces” struck again in the Eastern parts of Aleppo province, imposing full control over Al-Shuwaylekh village after a violent battle with the ISIL Monday afternoon.

Media sources accompanying the Syrian Armed Forces near the Kuweires Military Airport, the Tiger Forces – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City and Al-Salamiyah (East Hama city), Hezbollah, Kataebat Al-Ba’ath (Al-Ba’ath Battalions), and Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary) troops – completed control over Al-Shuwaylekh following their advance from the nearby village of Nasrallah, directly to the North of the frontline.

With Al-Shuwaylekh under the control of the Tiger Forces and their allies, they have the large village of Humaymah Al-Kabeera surrounded from two different flanks, while also holding the high ground after capturing the strategic hilltop of Tal Humaymah, army sources said.

Should the Syrian Armed Forces and their allies seize the village of Humaymah Al-Kabeera, they will be in position to strike at the ISIL stronghold of Deir Hafer, which is only located 3km East of the aforementioned site in the Aleppo Governorate’s Eastern countryside, they added.

Syrian Army in Full Control over Al-Khalidiyah in Aleppo City

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Al-Nusra Front, alongside their allies from the Nouriddeen Al-Zinki movement, and Al-Mujahiddeen Army suffered a demoralizing defeat at the hands of the Syrian government forces in the long-contested Al-Khalidiyah Quarter of Aleppo City on Monday.

For several months, Al-Nusra Front and their allies have tried to seize the Al-Khalidiyah Industrial Sector that is located at the eastern axis of the Al-Layramoun, however, they have failed to bypass the defenses of the Syrian army so far.

Finally, after more than 8 months of back-and-forth fighting between the Al-Layramoun and Al-Khalidiyah Quarters, the Syrian government forces backed by the National Defense Forces (NDF) – seized the opportunity and cleared out this part of Aleppo City, capturing several building blocks that leads into Al-Layramoun’s Industrial Sector.

In addition to their success at the Al-Khalidiyah Quarter, the Syrian army backed by the pro-government Palestinian resistance group “Liwaa Al-Quds” (Jerusalem Brigade) and the National Defense Forces – cleared out the remaining pockets of resistance near Building 11 in the Al-Zahra Association Quarter of west Aleppo.

With winter coming, the militant groups inside the provincial capital of Aleppo are facing a serious dilemma regarding their primary supply route from the Idlib Governorate, as the Syrian army continues their offensive along the strategic Aleppo-Damascus Highway.